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Ukraine crisis: Kiev bans Russian airlines' flights | Ukraine crisis: Kiev bans Russian airlines' flights |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Ukraine has said it will ban Russian airlines from flying into the country as part of sanctions over Moscow's support for rebels in the east. | Ukraine has said it will ban Russian airlines from flying into the country as part of sanctions over Moscow's support for rebels in the east. |
Kiev said the measures would take effect on 25 October and would include major Russian airlines Aeroflot and Transaero. | Kiev said the measures would take effect on 25 October and would include major Russian airlines Aeroflot and Transaero. |
Russian transit flights will also be banned if the planes carry military personnel or dual-use goods. | Russian transit flights will also be banned if the planes carry military personnel or dual-use goods. |
Moscow described the move as "an act of madness", promising a firm response. | |
In a separate development, Ukraine and Russia reached an agreement on supplies of natural gas to Kiev for the coming winter, ending month of tough negotiations. | In a separate development, Ukraine and Russia reached an agreement on supplies of natural gas to Kiev for the coming winter, ending month of tough negotiations. |
The deal - brokered by the European Union - was initialled in Brussels. However, it requires "further procedures" before it can be signed. | The deal - brokered by the European Union - was initialled in Brussels. However, it requires "further procedures" before it can be signed. |
Past gas disputes between Russia and Ukraine have led to interruptions in supply and caused major disruptions in shipments of Russian gas to EU countries. | Past gas disputes between Russia and Ukraine have led to interruptions in supply and caused major disruptions in shipments of Russian gas to EU countries. |
Russia's warning | Russia's warning |
The flight ban was announced by Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk. | The flight ban was announced by Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk. |
"Russian planes with the Russian tricolour have no business in Ukrainian airports," he said. | "Russian planes with the Russian tricolour have no business in Ukrainian airports," he said. |
Ukraine's aviation authorities later said the ban would take effect on 25 October. | Ukraine's aviation authorities later said the ban would take effect on 25 October. |
Last week, Ukraine imposed sanctions against 400 people and 90 legal entities - most of them from Russia - held responsible for Moscow's annexation of Crimea in March 2014 and the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. | Last week, Ukraine imposed sanctions against 400 people and 90 legal entities - most of them from Russia - held responsible for Moscow's annexation of Crimea in March 2014 and the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. |
Responding to Ukraine's ban announcement, Russian officials said they would be forced to take adequate measures. | Responding to Ukraine's ban announcement, Russian officials said they would be forced to take adequate measures. |
Dmirty Peskov, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, said - that if implemented - such a ban would be "another act of madness". | Dmirty Peskov, a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, said - that if implemented - such a ban would be "another act of madness". |
Almost 8,000 people have been killed since fighting erupted in eastern Ukraine in April 2014. | Almost 8,000 people have been killed since fighting erupted in eastern Ukraine in April 2014. |
Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of arming the separatists and also sending its regular troops in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. | Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of arming the separatists and also sending its regular troops in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. |
Moscow denies this, but admits that Russian "volunteers" fight alongside the rebels. | Moscow denies this, but admits that Russian "volunteers" fight alongside the rebels. |
The EU and the US have imposed their own sanctions against Russian officials and top allies of President Putin. | The EU and the US have imposed their own sanctions against Russian officials and top allies of President Putin. |
A ceasefire in eastern Ukraine has been holding in the last two weeks, although there have been reports of occasional shelling. | A ceasefire in eastern Ukraine has been holding in the last two weeks, although there have been reports of occasional shelling. |